Minnesota moved down one spot in the first round of the 2004…
Minnesota moved down one spot in the first round of the 2004 draft, sending Miami pick No. 19 for Nos. 20 and 119. The Dolphins selected tackle Vernon Carey; the Vikings chose defensive end Kenechi Udeze and running back Mewelde Moore. Carey had the longest starting career, but Minnesota received two useful players from the exchange.
Miami Dolphins Received
- pick 2004 1st round pick (19th overall, Vernon Carey )
Minnesota Vikings Received
- pick 2004 1st round pick (20th overall, Kenechi Udeze )
- pick 2004 4th round pick (119th overall, Mewelde Moore )
Trade Analysis
The Exchange
Miami moved from No. 20 to No. 19 in the first round of the 2004 draft and sent Minnesota pick No. 119 for the one-slot climb. The Dolphins selected offensive lineman Vernon Carey. Minnesota used No. 20 on defensive end Kenechi Udeze and the fourth-rounder on running back Mewelde Moore. Because the move involved adjacent first-round picks, the added fourth-round selection is central to the value comparison.
Minnesota Vikings Return
Udeze entered the starting lineup and showed the traits Minnesota wanted from a first-round edge defender. His career was later interrupted by a serious illness, an outcome that cannot fairly be treated as a scouting failure. Moore became the stabilizing second piece: a versatile runner, receiver, return option, and later a long-lived NFL contributor. Minnesota therefore received real use from both selections.
Miami Dolphins Return
Carey became the most durable starter in the trade. He spent his career in Miami and developed into a dependable offensive lineman with extensive starting experience. For a club that moved only one position to secure its preferred player, that outcome was strong and makes the Dolphins’ side look better with time.
Value in Hindsight
This trade is closer than a simple two-for-one count suggests. Carey delivered the longest uninterrupted starting career, while Minnesota received two players who each contributed in different ways. The fourth-round Moore pick meaningfully raises the Vikings’ return, and Udeze’s shortened career came from circumstances unrelated to the original evaluation.
Final Verdict
Minnesota’s B and Miami’s B- remain a reasonable narrow split. The Vikings gained a second useful player while moving down only one spot, which is excellent draft-day value. Miami can still view the trade positively because Carey became a long-term starter. Minnesota wins on aggregate return rather than because Miami failed.